Candlelight vigil held in Cole County to recognize and honor victims of crimes
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Office of Victim Services hosted a candlelight vigil Tuesday night, in Jefferson City, to honor victims and survivors of crimes.
The vigil is held annually for National Crime Victims Rights Week and was open to anyone including victims, and friends and family of victims.
Gov. Mike Parson proclaimed April 24 to April 30 as Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Missouri.
Missouri Department of Corrections Deputy Director Matt Sturm served as the master of ceremonies and Pastor Mark Kiekhaefer of Living Hope Church in Jefferson City led the opening prayer.
Speakers included Amber DeRousse and Boone County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Fumi Owoso.
Mayor Carrie Tergin presented a proclamation and Bentley the therapy dog from the MODOC Office of Victim Services made a special appearance.
One of the services provided for victims of crimes in the state is the Missouri Crime Victims’ Compensation program. The program should be used as a last resort for victims and helps pay for crime victims' out-of-pocket expenses such as medical, mental health/counseling, funeral expenses and lost wages.
The compensation program, over the last five years, has processed over 8,800 applications and awarded more than $26 million to victims and family members who were victims of violent crimes of threats of violence.
The compensation program is funded by court fees and federal funding and is not in jeopardy of running out any time soon.
The state administers several grant programs that provide millions of dollars to support crime victim advocates, domestic violence shelters, and to investigate cybercriminals who target children.
This year the state took on three additional grant programs.
A total of $1.8 million in grants was awarded in September, through the Crimes Against Children/Sex Crimes Grant for hiring additional staff and other expenditures to investigate, prosecute and detect crimes against children.
A total of $500,000 in grants was awarded in November, to nonprofit agencies to help deter crime in economically distressed areas of Missouri.
A total of $2.6 million in grants was awarded in April 2022 through a Victims of Crime Grant to support domestic violence service agencies, child advocacy centers, law enforcement and other service providers.
The States MOVANS program allows all Missourians to receive texts, emails, phone calls or letters anytime an offender is to be released from prison or jail, having a parole or court hearing, or if an order of protection has been filed in a case.
The Department of Public Safety is also holding a ceremony on Thursday at noon, at the south steps of the Capitol, to observe National Crime Victims' Rights week.
